The Winners

If you are looking for some improvement, change for the better, mood changes, or just some hope in your life that things can get better, why ignore a spiritual path?  Some people say that they do not participate in religious or spiritual based groups because they do not believe in God.  Why wait until you believe in God?  It is not necessary as the impetus to action.  What you need to believe is that a group that is changing for the better, can help you.  You simply need faith in the group.  The key virtue is HOPE.  You hope that by following the suggestions of the group, the winners, you too can change your life.  God belief is all personal.  Change comes from a group dynamic.  See AA for instance.  Addicts come to and STAY in AA, following suggestions because the addict believes in the group that is proof of change.  Deity is optional and personal.  The Hope of the newcomer is that by doing what the group does, the newcomer will change for the better.  If you are thinking of joining a church/synagogue/temple it is the same dynamic.  Why join a group that is just like your messed up self?  Some people do exactly that.  They want to "get God" but join a group that is just as dysfunctional as they are when they enter the door.  So be an atheist if you want, but HOPE for the gift of HOPE that you find a group that is living the way that attracts you to change.  Of course, if you do find a group and do change, you might ask yourself how that happened?